ISRO staff caution against being reduced to a residual R&D boutique as private firms enter space sector

ISRO staff have publicly questioned the recent trend of allocating space projects to private companies, warning that the organisation could be reduced to a residual research and development boutique. Their remarks highlight apprehension that without a structured framework, the agency's core capabilities may be sidelined. The employees stress that private sector participation need not undermine ISRO, but must operate under a clearly defined policy that delineates roles, responsibilities and resource sharing. Such a policy, they argue, would allow both the government agency and emerging private players to contribute to India's space ambitions without compromising the institute's strategic functions. No official response from ISRO leadership has been reported as of now.